NPCIL Seeks Offers for Small Nuclear Reactors to Replace Coal Plants

03 Jan 2025 CW Team

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has invited industry proposals to establish 220 MW Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs) for captive use, aiming to replace coal-fired thermal power plants in steel, aluminum, copper, and cement industries. The BSRs are 220 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) known for their excellent safety record and performance, designed to be compact and suited for industrial use. NPCIL’s statement emphasised that BSRs offer a sustainable solution for decarbonising industries that are difficult to electrify. They will also help industries reduce carbon emission-related taxes, enhancing their competitiveness in global markets. The government plans to deploy 40-50 such reactors over the next decade in collaboration with the private sector. This initiative is part of the 220 MW BSR program announced in the 2024-25 Union Budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. BSRs are a type of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), a new class of nuclear reactors that can be built in specialised factories and assembled on-site. (ET)

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

Mizoram To Build Rs 139 Billion Pumped Storage Power Plant

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday announced plans to construct a 2,400 MW pumped storage hydroelectric power plant in Hnahthial district, marking a major step towards achieving energy self-sufficiency in the state. Addressing the Mizo Students’ Union general conference in Hnahthial town, the Chief Minister said the plant would be developed across the Darzo Nallah, a tributary of the Tuipui river. Once operational, the project is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting Mizoram’s rising electricity demand and reducing dependence on imported power. Officials from the State Power..

Centre Plans Nationwide Opening Of Power Retail Market

India is preparing to open up its retail electricity market to private companies nationwide, effectively ending the long-standing monopoly of state-run power distributors in most regions, according to a draft bill released by the Union Power Ministry on Friday. The move will enable major private sector players — including Adani Enterprises, Tata Power, Torrent Power, and CESC — to expand their presence across the country’s electricity distribution landscape. A similar reform attempt in 2022 had faced strong opposition from state-run distribution companies (discoms), which currently dom..

CEA Sets 100 GW Nuclear Target For India By 2047

In a landmark step marking its 52nd Foundation Day, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) unveiled an ambitious roadmap to develop 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047, aligning with India’s long-term Net-Zero commitment and energy security objectives. The event, held at the Central Water Commission auditorium in New Delhi’s R.K. Puram, was attended by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, who served as the Chief Guest. The roadmap sets out a detailed plan to expand India’s nuclear capacity from its current level of approximately 8,180 MW as of early 2025, outl..